Area Services

WEST BRATTLEBORO -- All Souls Unitarian Universalist at the West Village Meeting House invites all to Sunday’s service, on June 1 at 10 a.m. when the theme will be "Navigating On the Journey of Life."

As she begins her last month as our settled minister and spiritual leader, the Rev. Barbro Hansson will reflect further on the tools we need on life’s journey to navigate along the way.

This Sunday, children will be learning through music in this church year’s final Song Circle with musician and educator, Daniel Kasnitz. Children will be introduced to a new theological topic, ponder and discuss and then go deeper while singing together. They will be accompanied by guitar, and who knows what other instruments as they learn through music and laughter. Children of all ages are invited. Nursery care is always provided.

All Souls at the West Village Meeting House is located at 29 South St. across the road up from the West Brattleboro Fire Station and village green. For more information or directions, call the office at 802-254-9377, e-mail office@ascvt.org or www.ascvt.org. All Souls is a Certified Welcoming Congregation and Green Sanctuary.

Asbury Church

CHESTERFIELD, N.H. -- This Sunday, Pastor Scott Masters, of Asbury Church, offers a message designed to start a conversation about heaven. Culturally, heaven has become a place that we arrive at after we leave this life.

Asbury is a progressive, and welcoming church committed to becoming the face of faith to our community. Service begins at 10 a.m. and a period of fellowship and free refreshments follow worship. For more details visit on Facebook or online at www.chesterfieldumc.org.

Bellows Falls, First Baptist Church

BRATTLEBORO -- This Sunday, June 1, at the First Baptist Church of Bellows Falls is the annual Children’s Day Service. Our bright and joyful youth will present a creative service of scripture, story and song to enliven and encourage us all in love of the Lord.

All are welcome to attend for worship, music and community. Sunday School begins at 9:40 a.m. and the Sunday service begins at 10 a.m. Child care is provided following children’s time.

Pastors’ office hours are Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Bible Study is Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. where the group will read and discuss the Book of Jonah.

For more information, contact Pastors Steven and Terri Walton at 802-463-3220. The church is located at 9 Church St., Bellows Falls. American Baptists serve others as "the hands and feet of Jesus."

Centre Congregational Church

BRATTLEBORO -- The Rev. Phillip Wilson will be the worship leader and guest preacher on Sunday, June 1, at Centre Congregation Church. He will officiate at the Sacrament of Holy Communion. A teaching on the Eucharist will be his sermon theme, based on I Corinthians 11 and John 7, along with Mary Oliver’s poem, "Wild Geese."

Centre Congregational Church in downtown Brattleboro has been selected by the Vermont Conference (United Church of Christ), as one of five Vermont Congregational churches to take part in an initiative titled "Partners for Sacred Places -- a Strategic Investment in Sacred Spaces." This two-year program, underwritten by the Lilly Endowment, provides the church with technical assistance and consultants to assess the value of the church to the community, and to help the congregation determine its future role in the community, including finding partners with whom to collaborate.

An ad hoc committee has been working on becoming a Global Mission Church, including commitment to a plan in covenant with the national Global Mission Movement. This challenges congregations to join with "global and local partners to work for justice, reconciliation and Peace." Those serving on this task force are Virginia Knuebel (chair), Marion and Peter Abell, Jenifer Ambler, Dee and Bob Keller, Ron Svec, Judy Myrick and the Rev. Carra McFadden.

Centre Church, located at 193 Main St., is a congregation of the United Church of Christ that is a Just Peace Church and Open and Affirming. For more information contact the church office at 802-254-4730 or visit the website at www.centrechurchvt.org.

Dummerston Congregational Church

DUMMERSTON -- Today, May 31, at the Dummerston Congregational Church there will be a Blessing of the Animals service outside at 4 p.m. All pets are welcome, but must be on a leash or in a cage. There will be time for hands-on prayer for each pet and for prayers for all of God’s creation. All are welcome.

Sunday is a Communion service and all who seek to follow Jesus are welcome at Christ’s table. The scripture this week is Romans 8: 14-27 and the Meditation is "Not Ordinary Times," looking at the unique challenges facing us in our times and our responsibility to future generations.

The special offering will go to Church World Service Blankets. The Children’s story is the Story of Pentecost in Acts 2. Children begin n worship and then go to an open classroom under the direction of Billie Slade. Children will rejoin their families for communion.

Next week is Children’s Sunday: Education Sunday. Graduates of every level will be recognized, from kindergarten through graduate school. Let the church office know of names to be included. Church School teachers will be honored, and children will receive year-end gifts on this joyous day. There will also be a year-end picture of the church school with the tree planted last year. The service on June 8 will end with a picnic.

Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. The church is located in Dummerston Center, 1536 Middle Road. The church is a UCC is a Green Justice Congregation of The United Church of Christ. For more information about this energetic, faithful, friendly and mission-oriented church, contact Pastor Susanna Griefen, 802-257-0544, susanna@griefen.com.

First Congregational Church, West Brattleboro

WEST BRATTLEBORO -- June 1 is the Seventh Sunday of Easter at the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, 880 Western Ave. in West Brattleboro. Pastor Joseph Amico will share a sermon entitled "The Fiery Ordeal and the Hope of Glory" based on 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11.

Organist Robert Popple will share a prelude of "Lamb of God" by Twila Paris and arranged by Peggy Bettcher and a postlude of an untitled piece by Heather Sorenson. The Choir Director Steve Rice will lead the choir in an anthem of "Give Me Jesus," a traditional African American spiritual. Congregational hymns this week include "Christ for the World We Sing!," "Graced with Garments of Great Gladness" and "Glory, Glory Hallelujah."

Sunday worship at First Congregational Church is at 10 a.m. preceded by 9 a.m. choir rehearsal. For those with disabilities, there is a ramp leading to the Fireplace Room level, as well as large-print hymnals and bulletins. For a ride to worship in June call Al at 603-363-4686.

Worship Services are broadcast several times during the week on BCTV, Channel 8. Check Weekend and Tuesday Reformer for BCTV schedule, or the online schedule which is updated every Friday afternoon.

There is an ongoing collection of canned fruits and vegetables, pasta and sauces, peanut butter, tuna fish, and cereals for the Drop-In Center’s Food Shelf.

Ongoing weekly events include the Prayer Fellowship at 8:30 a.m. Sundays and the Handicraft group on Tuesdays at 1 p.m.

Everyone is welcome. First Congregational Church is An Open and Affirming Congregation. Church office hours are Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call 802-254-9767, e-mail fccwb1770@gmail.com, or visit www.wbucc.com.

First United Methodist Church

BRATTLEBORO -- Worship at First United Methodist Church will be held on Sunday, June 1, at 10 a.m. Scripture from Acts 1:6-14 will be read by Mary Anne Deer telling the story of Jesus describing the power of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon his followers.

The Rev. Cheryl Meachen will preach a sermon entitled "Witnesses" which will explore the ever expanding concentric circles in which God’s grace is to be shared and witnessed.

The United Methodist Women invite every woman to a banquet at 6 p.m. on Sunday for a roast pork dinner and fun game show themed entertainment.

Contact the church at fumcob@gmail.com or 802-254-4218 or for more information, visit fumcob.wordpress.com. The church is located at 18 Town Crier Drive off Putney Road and is handicap-accessible. All are welcome.

Guilford Community Church

GUILFORD -- Maya Angelou passed away this week and the service at Guilford Church on Sunday, June 1, at 10 a.m. will use her poem, "Still I Rise," to lift up the challenges and victories of men and women working together for the earth and each other’s freedom. The church also marks the beginning of "not so ordinary" times for the next six months.

This season is part of a larger movement in the United Church of Christ to use the summer and autumn months to focus on issues of environmental justice and stewardship of the earth.

The scripture this week focuses on Christ’s ascension and with it on the role of those left behind to shepherd the inhabitants of earth to bring "heaven" to earth.

Music for the day will include "I’ll Fly Away" and "Angel Band" under the direction of Patty Meyer. Pastor Lise Sparrow will use Wendell Berry’s poem title "Practice Resurrection" as the theme of her homily for this last Sunday of the Easter season.

The children’s book "Shouting" will be the focus of the children’s story, introducing the jubilant practices of Pentecost which happens next week.

Next week’s service will include music from Zimbabwe under the direction of acclaimed musician, Dr. Sheasby Matiure, and the congregation is encouraged to wear red in celebration.

Guilford Community Church is an Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ. The building is fully handicapped accessible and hearing assistance and an ASL interpreter are provided. The church is one mile south of Brattleboro, past Exit 1 on Route 5 and left just beyond the Guilford Country Store. For information call 802-257-0994 or 802-257-2776 or check out the website at www.guilfordchurch.org. Everyone is welcome.

Newfane Congregational Church

NEWFANE -- The First Congregational Church of Newfane will welcome the Rev. Ivy Merrill to the pulpit on Sunday, June 1, at 10 a.m. The title of Rev. Merrill’s meditation is "Table Graces" with scripture from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 14, verses 17-25 and the book of Psalms, chapter 147, verses 1-11.

The Sacrament of Communion will be observed. Music for the service includes congregational hymns of "All Creatures of Our God and King," "I Come with Joy" and "Let All Things Now Living." The choir will sing "He’s Everything to Me" by Ralph Carmichael with the prelude "Prelude in E Flat" by Ernest H. Sheppard and the postlude "Chorus of Praise" by O. Scheldrup Oberg played by organist/music director Martha LaMoria.

Events for the first week of June include Al-Anon at 7:30 p.m. on Monday; Sew What’s at 5 p.m. on Tuesday; Deacons meeting at 11 a.m., Trustees at 6 p.m. and Church Council at 7:30 p.m., all on Wednesday; Garden Club annual meeting, Bell rehearsal at 5 p.m. and church choir at 6:30 p.m., all on Thursday. Next Sunday, the Rev. Dr. James Scott will be guest preacher to celebrate Pentecost Sunday. Parishioners are urged to wear something red.

For further information, call the church office at 802-365-4079 or visit the church website at www.newfanechurch.org.

Trinity Lutheran Church

BRATTLEBORO -- The Rev. Dr. Jim Hazelwood, Bishop of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will be the guest preacher at Trinity Lutheran Church this Sunday, June 1. Bishop Hazelwood was elected to a six-year term as bishop in June, 2012.

Hazelwood had been pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Charlestown, R.I., since 1993. During his tenure there, the congregation grew in membership and mission, began a preschool, added a series of summer day camps, launched an AIDS respite care, developed a Faith in Action ministry for serving the community, constructed a new education wing, and initiated a global mission relationship in Honduras.

Born in Concord, Mass., in 1959, Hazelwood is also a professional photographer, global traveler, and motorcyclist. His website is www.bishoponabike.com.

Trinity offers Sunday School classes for all ages and an Adult Forum on the formation of the Bible, all of which gather at 9 a.m. Trinity meets for worship at 10:30 a.m. The liturgy for the Easter season is "Now the Feast" by Marty Haugen.

The church is located at 161 Western Ave., Brattleboro, across from Holton Home. Trinity is an Open and Affirming congregation.

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